Improvement in clasps for stockings or skirt supporters



z s. a. CAPE WELL. Clasp for Stocking or Skirt Supporters.

Patente dJan.26,1875..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE J. oAPEwELL, on CHESHIRE, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR sroc'nunes on SKIRT SUPPORTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent lie- 159,15 1, dated January 26, 1875; application filed November 17, 1874..

To all whom -it' may concern:

Be, it known that I, GEORGE J. OAPEWELL, of Cheshire, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stocking or Skirt Supporters; and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference n1 arkedthereon making a part of this specification.-

This invention is in the nature of an int provement in astocking or skirt supporter; and the invention .consists in aclasp for use in stocking and skirt supporters, constructed of two pieces of metal rivetedtogetherat their loop end, and one passing through a slot in the other, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1'.is aside elevation of my improved stocking or skirt supporter, and Fig. 2 an edge view of same.

Similar "letters of reference indicate like parts inthe several figures.

A represents a clasp, which is formed of two pieces of metal, a a, forming the sides of the clasp. .These two sides are joined at theirnpper ends by a rivet, b. Through the side a, and near its lower end, is cut a slot, 0. The slotted end is then bent in a reverse curve, and'th-rough it is passed the lower 'end of the side a, whichjs bent in like manner. The endof the side a thus passed throughthe slot is provided with one or'more'c'laws,'e e, and the-lower end of the side a abntsagainst the points of said claws, acting as a-guard therefor. The upperends of the two sides of the clasp a a. have formed into theman opening, f, through which passed and secured an elastic, A, the upper end of this elastic having a metallic loop, B, fastened to it. Y

My supporter being constructed substantially as above described, it is operated by passing the edge of the stocking or skirt between the lower ends of the clasp, pressing the clasp slightly, so that the claws will enter into the fabric, and the metallic loop B at the other end of the elastic A is passed around a button on a band or belt around'the waist.

The supporter being applied in this way, the tension of the elastic strap A will keep the s ocking or skirt smooth and snugly in place, the elastic pressure of the clasp keeping it 'firn lysecnred t0 the fabric, from which it is readilyreleased by simply compressing the clasp together.

The end of the clasp which abuts against the claws c 6 acts as a guard, preventing the claws from wounding the wearer. I am aware that stocking-supporters have been made with metallic clasps, similar in shape and operation to my device, but difl'cr-.

ing in-the construction and arrangement.

Having thus described my invention, what 'I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let- 

